Africa Merit Safaris
6-Day Budget Serengeti & Ngorongoro

6-Day Budget Serengeti & Ngorongoro

Overview

Combine Tanzania's two most iconic safari destinations on this 6-day budget camping adventure. Spend three days exploring the vast Serengeti plains before heading to the Ngorongoro Crater, the eighth wonder of the world. With shared transport, public campsites, and all meals cooked by your safari chef, this itinerary offers the ultimate Northern Tanzania experience at an affordable price.

Highlights

Three days of game drives across the Serengeti plains
Full-day game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor
Camp at Seronera Public Campsite in the heart of the Serengeti
Sleep on the Ngorongoro Crater rim at Simba A Public Campsite
Track the Big Five across two of Africa's premier parks
Witness incredible sunsets and starlit nights around the campfire

Gallery

6-Day Budget Serengeti & Ngorongoro — image 1
6-Day Budget Serengeti & Ngorongoro — image 2
6-Day Budget Serengeti & Ngorongoro — image 3

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Central Serengeti

Depart Arusha early in the morning in a shared 4x4 safari vehicle. Drive via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, pausing at the crater viewpoint for spectacular photographs. Enter the Serengeti through Naabi Hill Gate. Enjoy an afternoon game drive across the Seronera plains, known for its high concentration of predators and resident wildlife. Arrive at Seronera Public Campsite for dinner prepared by your safari chef and overnight camping in the heart of the park.

Accommodation

Budget: Nyani Campsite

Nyani Campsite

Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Central Serengeti

Wake before sunrise for an early morning game drive when wildlife is most active. Watch the golden light sweep across the Serengeti plains as predators hunt and herbivores graze. Return to camp for brunch, then head out again for afternoon exploration. The Seronera River Valley supports an incredible density of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush. Return to Seronera Public Campsite for dinner and an evening under the stars.

Accommodation

Budget: Nyani Campsite

Nyani Campsite

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Serengeti Game Drive — Explore New Areas

After breakfast, embark on a full-day exploration of different regions of the Serengeti. Depending on the season and wildlife movements, your guide may take you toward the Western Corridor, the Northern Serengeti, or further into the Southern plains. Each area offers unique landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness. Return to Seronera Public Campsite in the evening for dinner and campfire stories.

Accommodation

Budget: Nyani Campsite

Nyani Campsite

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Enjoy a final morning game drive through the Serengeti, spotting any wildlife you may have missed. Exit the park and begin the drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stop at Olduvai Gorge, the famous archaeological site where early hominid fossils were discovered. Arrive at Simba A Public Campsite on the Ngorongoro Crater rim in the late afternoon. Settle into camp with incredible views into the caldera below.

Accommodation

Budget: Simba Public Campsite

Simba Public Campsite

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Full-Day Game Drive

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater shortly after sunrise for a full-day game drive on the crater floor. The caldera covers approximately 260 square kilometres and is home to an estimated 25,000 large animals including the rare black rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo, and hyena. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the hippo pool at Lake Magadi. Ascend the crater rim in the late afternoon and return to Simba A Public Campsite for a final dinner with breathtaking views.

Accommodation

Budget: Simba Public Campsite

Simba Public Campsite

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Return to Arusha

After breakfast at the campsite with a final view of the magnificent crater, begin the journey back to Arusha. Drive through the Ngorongoro highlands, passing through Karatu and Mto wa Mbu. Stop for lunch along the way. Arrive in Arusha by mid-afternoon. Transfer to your hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure.

Included

  • Shared 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Safari chef to prepare all meals
  • Camping equipment (tent, sleeping mat, chair)
  • Park entry and camping fees for Serengeti and Ngorongoro
  • Ngorongoro Crater descent fee
  • All meals during safari as per itinerary
  • Bottled drinking water during game drives

Excluded

  • International flights and visas
  • Sleeping bag (available for hire)
  • Olduvai Gorge museum entry fee
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Tips and gratuities for guide and chef
  • Personal expenses and laundry

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